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Emanuel Defends Practice Of Taking Campaign Money From Developers

At Fernwood Park w Coca-Cola to announce $2.59-million support for city recycling. (Credit: Craig Dellimore)

CHICAGO (CBS) — Mayor Emanuel is defending his practice of taking campaign money from developers who may need city approval for their projects, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

The mayor has banned political donations from lobbyists and developers directly doing business with the city, but Mayor Emanuel acknowledges he does have strong support from say hotel developers because such business is booming here and means jobs.

“Even though they support me, we had a very public dispute as related to the garage fee. And so even though they support me I have told them when I think they’re wrong or on the wrong side and I haven’t backed down from that. Which, also, it is not a law, it is about a character and a value statement,” said Emanuel.

Emanuel Defends Practice Of Taking Campaign Money From Developers

And the mayor says his administration is open about how money comes and goes, obeys stringent laws and has won awards for its transparency.

Craig Dellimore

Craig Dellimore, political editor for WBBM, joined the station in 1983 after working for several years with the Associated Press Radio Network in WashingtonD.C. He says that he been honored to take over a post masterfully manned by Bob Crawford,...